Lecture Series Environment, Climate, Sustainability
The lecture series ‘Environment, Climate, Sustainability: From Knowledge to Action’ at the University of Vienna in the winter semester 2025/26 is looking for ways to translate local action into concrete measures.
Overview | Programme | FAQs | Organisers
From knowledge to action!
How do we move from knowledge to action? What can we do – especially in cities like Vienna – to act within planetary boundaries and thus shape a future worth living? Who is this ‘we’ anyway – who must and can act? Which actors are needed, what obstacles stand in the way, and how can these be overcome? How can cooperation between science and administration be made more effective?
These and many other questions will be addressed in the lecture series ‘Environment, Climate, Sustainability: From Knowledge to Action,’ which will take place at the University of Vienna in the winter semester 2025/26. The overarching story ‘A Day in the Life of a Viennese Woman’ gives the lecture series a local, everyday context.
Read the event report for the lecture series launch event!
Programme
The lecture series takes place every Wednesday from 4:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in Lecture Hall 33 of the main building of the University of Vienna (Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna). The opening and closing events, however, take place on other days in the Vienna City Hall.
Each unit consists of two inputs that deal with solutions and their implementation for various topics over the course of the semester. The presentations are followed by a moderated discussion between the speakers and the participants of the lecture series.
The lecture series takes a transdisciplinary approach to the following topics:
Nutrition, water, mobility, construction, economy, green space, health, consumption, energy, participation, social justice and innovation.
Please note that most lectures are given in German.
Units
When: 8.10.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbFETnYx1_4
Speakers:
- Timo Bühler, Environment and Climate Research Hub, University of Vienna (Organizer)
- Tobias Reckling & Luise Scheiber, univie:innovation
- Franz Oberndorfer & Katharina Meißner-Schöller, City of Vienna
Central questions:
- What is the triple crisis and why should we be concerned about it?
- Why do science and administration need to work together (better)?
- How is the RingVO structured? How does it relate to other activities offered by the University of Vienna?
When: 13.10.2025, 18:00-20:00 (Entrance from 17:15 with a ticket)
Where: Ballroom, Vienna City Hall (Entry via Lichtenfelsgasse 2, 1010 Vienna)
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA2Ytpf1VeU
Speakers:
- Jürgen Czernohorszky, City of Vienna
- Nikolaus Hautsch, University of Vienna
- Ulrike Felt, University of Vienna
- Thilo Hofmann, University of Vienna
- Andreas Januskovecz, City of Vienna
- Katharina Rogenhofer, KONTEXT Institute for Climate Matters
- Timo Bühler, University of Vienna
- Moderation: Marlene Nowotny, Ö1
Keynote:
- Ulrike Felt, University of Vienna: “Die Stadt als Labor – Auf den Spuren (mehr oder weniger) erfolgreicher Umweltpolitik”
Central questions:
- What are the prerequisites for successful cooperation between science and administration?
- What can we learn from the past for the future?
When: 22.10.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0-bMEZfUhw
Speakers:
- Christian Ulrichs, Humboldt University of Berlin
- Eva Erhart, BioForschung Austria: “Wie machen wir Landwirtschaft und Ernährung klimafit und zukunftssicher?”
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- How can we ensure food supplies under changing conditions?
- What options does the public sector have to promote sustainable nutrition?
When: 29.10.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9TcbdNr7KU
Speakers:
- Atakan Aral, University of Vienna: “IoT-Driven Water Quality Monitoring”
- Marija Zunabovic-Pichler, City of Vienna: "Ensuring safe drinking water supply in Vienna in 2050 and beyond“
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- How can we prevent water pollution and, if necessary, recognise it at an early stage?
- How can we adapt our water supply to changing conditions and make it more resilient?
When: 5.11.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Recording: www.youtube.com/watch
Speakers:
- Sarah Bittner-Krautsack, City of Vienna: “Planen der Mobilitätswende für das Wien von morgen”
- Alois Humer, Technical University of Vienna and ÖAW &
Martin Berger, Technical University of Vienna &
Katharina Kvasnicka, stadtland / Grätzellabor Liesing: “Die 15-Minuten-Stadt: ein Konzept und seine Umsetzung auf Nachbarschaftsebene” - Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- How can we promote active mobility options and motivate city residents to use them?
- What does the ‘15-minute city’ look like and how can we implement it?
When: 12.11.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Recording: www.youtube.com/watch
Speakers:
- Bernadette Luger, City of Vienna: “Transformation gestalten: Strategien und Maßnahmen für die zirkuläre Bauwende”
- Florian Teichmann, Technical University of Vienna: “Nachhaltiges Bauen und Lernen: Brennpunkt Schulen”
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- How can we make existing and new buildings in Vienna climate-neutral or climate-friendly?
- How can we achieve the transition to a circular model of construction?
When: 19.11.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Recording: www.youtube.com/watch
Speakers:
- Sigrid Stagl, Vienna University of Economics and Business
- Eva Czernohorszky, Vienna Business Agency: “Die Wirtschaft am Weg zu Net-Zero”
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- How can we make our economy socially and ecologically sustainable?
- What opportunities arise for employees from this transformation?
When: 26.11.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/L04WBBM8DZI (starts around 16:40)
Speakers:
- Mathew White, University of Vienna: "Nature-based solutions are good for public health but actively engaging with the city’s green and blue spaces is also important"
- Jürgen Preiss, City of Vienna: “Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Vienna and Implementation Process”
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- How can natural spaces in cities help make people more resilient to the effects of climate change?
- How can we create more and better natural spaces in cities?
When: 3.12.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/fqGRzoPybVU (starts around 16:40)
Speakers:
- Hans-Peter Hutter, Medical University of Vienna: “Klimawandel, Biodiversitätsverlust, Mikroplastikepidemie... Gesundheit zwischen multiplen Umweltkrisen und Lichtblicken”
- Robab Breyer-Kohansal, Vienna Healthcare Group
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- How can we strengthen our social and healthcare system in view of the changing conditions?
- How can the health of the city's residents be protected?
When: 10.12.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/29PWJeA872k (starts around 16:40)
Speakers:
- Ulrike Felt, University of Vienna: “Darf’s ein bisschen Zukunft sein? Konsum, Ressourcen und das, was bleibt”
- Martina Ableidinger, City of Vienna, "Tu was für den Kreislauf – Best Practice Beispiele aus Wien“
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- Which best practice examples of circular economy can be found in Vienna, and how can they be successfully scaled up?
- How is waste occurence developing in Vienna, and what types of waste are often overlooked?
- How can processes of waste prevention be implemented on a systemic level, and in which areas does individual consumer behavior have a significant impact?
When: 17.12.2025, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/KNqAuDtgYjU (starts around 16:40)
Speakers:
- Marianne Zeyringer, University of Oslo: "Spannungsfelder in der Energiesystemplanung: Mensch, Umwelt und Klima"
- Herbert Ritter, City of Vienna: “Arbeiten an der Energiezukunft in Wien”
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- How do we need to design our energy systems so that they are sustainable?
- How do we manage the switch from gas to sustainable energy sources?
When: 14.1.2026, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/X6s1YI-j7LY (starts around 16:40)
Speakers:
- Julia Wesely, University of Vienna: “Stadt (mit)machen: Konzepte, Methoden und Denkanstöße für innovative Beteiligungsformate”
- Wencke Hertzsch, City of Vienna: “Alltagsdemokratie und Mitwirkung in Wien: Von der Strategie zur gelebten Praxis”
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- How can we develop and implement effective and fair solutions?
- How can citizens be involved in decision-making and implementation processes?
When: 21.1.2026, 16:45-18:15
Where: Lecture Hall 33, University of Vienna, Main Building
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/k7uFaX5bw38 (starts around 16:40)
Speakers:
- Luise Scheiber, University of Vienna &
Tobias Reckling, University of Vienna: “Wissenstransfer & Science4Policy: Von der Idee zur Wirkung @ UniVie” - Panel of speakers
- Moderation: Timo Bühler, ECH
Central questions:
- What is the University of Vienna doing to translate research findings into practical applications?
- What opportunities are available to students?
When: 22.1.2026, 16:45-18:15
Where: Ballroom, Vienna City Hall
Participation: This unit is only open for registered students and will only take place in person
Speakers:
- Sabine Pahl, University of Vienna
- Timo Bühler, ECH (Organizer)
Central questions:
- tbd
Exam
The first exam will take place on 28 January 2026, from 16:45 to 18:15. Further details can be found in u:find.
FAQ for the lecture series
The lecture series is aimed at all students of the University of Vienna and students from Circle U partner universities. In addition, the lecture series is open to the public. No special prior knowledge is required; curiosity and interest in environmental, climate and sustainability issues are sufficient.
This lecture series combines scientific findings with practical solutions. It highlights topics such as nutrition and agriculture, water, mobility, construction and recycling, economic transformation, green spaces, health, sustainability and consumption, energy, participation and social justice, and innovation from different perspectives, with a focus on urban areas such as Vienna. Each unit brings together experts from science and practice and provides space for exchange.
In principle, yes, but it depends on your field of study! For students at the University of Vienna, credit can generally be transferred if the study programme director (SPL) of your degree programme has linked the lecture series accordingly. If the lecture series is not listed in the course catalogue for your degree programme, register for it anyway and then contact your SPL directly to request credit transfer.
The course comprises three ECTS credits and is completed with a multiple-choice exam. Circle U. students can also take the lecture series as part of Circle U. and receive ECTS credits. An online exam format is offered for Circle U. students.
Yes, this is generally possible. If you are enrolled at another Austrian university or university of applied sciences, you can attend individual courses at the University of Vienna through co-registration.
Important: You must clarify credit transfer with the program director at your home university before attending courses.
Once your co-registration application is approved, don’t forget to register for the lecture via u:find.
More information on co-registration is available here:
Co-registration at the University of Vienna
Circle U. students can register until 1 October 2025 via the application link. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We therefore recommend that interested students register as early as possible, as places may be filled quickly.
After registering, they must complete their course registration by 10 October 2025 at the latest in u:find.
The main language of instruction is German, but two of the course units will also be held in English.
Students from Circle U. partner universities should contact the International Office of the University of Vienna, which is responsible for administrative matters within the Circle U. programme, for administrative questions (e.g. regarding admission to the lecture series): circle-u(at)univie.ac.at.
If you have any questions regarding content or organisation, please contact the lecture series team at the following email address: ringvo.ech(at)univie.ac.at
Organisers
This lecture series is organised by the Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) at the University of Vienna in cooperation with the City of Vienna. The course will be led by Timo Bühler, MA, and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thilo Hofmann.
Partners
